Herbs & Alternative Medicine

Making homemade eucalyptus oil is a fairly simple process that can save you quite a bit of money over purchasing store-bought versions. In addition, if you are planning to use your eucalyptus oil...

Insomnia can be a difficult illness to live through. Living through life day after day without sleep makes one irritable and can ruin your health. There are some medical treatments for insomnia,...

A blocked nose or nasal congestion causes difficultly breathing and discomfort. Although traditional medicine is available for a blocked nose, there are also natural remedies that help to clear up...

A toenail fungus, onychomycosis, can be unpleasant to look at, as well as painful. According to the Mayo Clinic, the fungus can be caused by yeast, mold or a type of fungi called dermatophytes....

As cancer rates continue to increase and confidence in the adequacy and overall safety of traditional medical treatments is eroding in some quarters, many people are choosing to prevent or treat...

Mood enhancers positively lift the body, mind and spirit. If you wish to feel more relaxed, blissful or energized, there are steps you can take to make your own mood enhancers in the home, to...

Eastern red cedar, a juniper conifer native to more than 30 states east of the Rocky Mountains, has been used for centuries by Native Americans as a general tonic and natural remedy for a number...

Dry scalp occurs when the hair strands growing from the scalp are not properly lubricated by the oil glands. These glands, also called sebaceous glands, not only affect the dryness of the scalp,...

Antifungal creams found in the local drug store can be expensive and contain harsh chemicals. These chemicals may work quicker than natural antifungal remedies but also expose the skin to...

Cinnamon basil is a variety of basil that you can grow from seed throughout the United States. It grows as an annual, and can be harvested and dried just like traditional Genovese or sweet basil....

Ayurveda, the more than 5,000-year-old traditional system of health of the Indian subcontinent, has long prized the healing properties of the powdered root of the turmeric plant. Recent Western...

Sweet oil is common name for edible liquid fats that have been derived from plants. Sold in pharmacies across the United States and used as a standard home remedy for ear infections, sweet oil is...

PMS and menstrual cramps are a signal that your body is not working properly. A monthly menstrual cycle should not cause undo distress either emotionally or physically. Here's some helpful hints...

Castor oil comes from the castor bean plant and has been used medicinally in the United States since pioneer days. A castor oil pack is an old-fashioned remedy that can be used for treating a...

Just like any surface, wear and tear will dull the appearance of skin. Those seeking to return light and glow to their skin have a number of options, from exfoliating to applying lotions. Sugar...

Toenail fungus is an infection that can cause the toenail to be thick, crumbly and discolored. Invading the toenail through small cuts between the toenail and the toe, toenail fungus can be...

Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a popular medicinal herb used to treat burns, bruises, cuts and wounds. It speeds the healing of external injuries by increasing the flow of blood to the...

Essential oils (aromatherapy) are oils extracted directly from plants and flowers and while some are used in perfumes, many of these oils have healing properties. Oregano essential oil is...

Borage oil CoQ10 is a nutritional supplement with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Borage oil comes from the borage plant and the leaves, flowers and seed oil are used when producing...

Shark oil is used in alternative medicine to help the immune system increase production of white blood cells and antibodies. Shark oil is specifically derived from the liver of cold water sharks....

Peppermint oil, an extract of the peppermint plant native to Europe and North America, is used for flavor, aroma and medicinal effects. Medicinally, peppermint oil is used to treat a number of...

Roses provide a beautiful fragrance, and the petals produce a highly concentrated, distilled essence called rose essential oil. This oil brings many benefits.

Clove oil is commonly used in conjunction with other herbal remedies, but when used by itself can offer antiseptic, anesthetic and preservative properties, helping with ailments related to the...

Comfrey is a perennial herb indigenous to Europe, but it now grows throughout the temperate zones of the United States. It is known by many names and has many medicinal uses.

Essential oils can not only be healing, but also pleasing to our senses. Unfortunately, it can be expensive to make true essential oils. Sometimes it takes a large amount of an herb to create only...

Almonds are a type of nut that grows on trees, which were originally cultivated from the Middle East. Oil derived from almonds is used in cooking as well as in herbal medicine to treat a number of...

The most common types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, involve an inflammation of the tissue lining the joints. A blend of lemongrass, turmeric powder and cayenne pepper...

Comfrey might grow like a weed and be very hard to get rid of, but it's also a highly effective healing herb. The sticky leaves can be used like a bandage on minor cuts, and comfrey oil or a...

When incorporating pomegranate into their diet, most people immediately think of eating a pomegranate or drinking a glass of pomegranate juice. But there is another way to incorporate pomegranate...

Calendula has been used for centuries to clean and disinfect wounds, and reduce swelling and inflammation. Soldiers used it to pack wounds and to stop the bleeding during the Civil War. Calendula...

Bell's palsy is a nerve disorder that affects the nerves in your face, causing facial nerve paralysis, most often only affecting one side of the face. These episodes can come about gradually or...

Black rose oil, also known as black seed rose oil, consists of a delicate blend of ingredients. It can be used on sensitive parts of the body to nourish and protect the skin.

Long, full lashes are coveted by all. Fans of strong lashes surrounding the eyes makes them more appealing to everyone. However, some circumstances cause lashes to become brittle and sometimes...

Peppermint oil is derived from the herb peppermint, which grows in the wild throughout North America and Europe. Peppermint oil shows some antibacterial properties in the laboratory but is not...

People have been using peppermint oil for hundreds of years to help relieve pain, cure illnesses, reduce fevers and fight off infections. Peppermint oil is used in a variety of ways: you can apply...

Earwax is a beneficial in a couple of ways, including helping to maintain a pH balance in your ear and protecting against the penetration of water into the inner ear, both of which are important...

Arthritis, characterized by swollen, aching joints, is inflammation of the joint tissues and can be quite painful, especially in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, which can sometimes be crippling....

Clove, a herb cultivated in parts of Asia, Africa and Brazil, is commonly used in various cuisines for its fragrance and flavor. Several healing qualities have been associated with it. Its oil,...

Both evening primrose and vitex are plant-based supplements used to manage a variety of hormonal conditions in women. Evening primrose oil is the pressed oil from the seed of the flowering evening...

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a flowering member of the mint family. Peppermint oil is actually a combination of several oils extracted from the stem, leaf and flower of the plant. It is...

Oregano oil has been shown to have numerous health benefits for the human body. Don't confuse this oil with regular oregano that you have in your kitchen. Oil of oregano is made from wild oregano,...

Hyssop is a shrub similar to mint. Its name is derived from the Hebrew word "ezov," or "holy herb." It is native to the Mediterranean region and is mentioned frequently in the Bible, where it is...

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean." That ancient Biblical injunction perfectly captures pungent, woodsy Hyssopus officinalis. The herb also yields an incredibly potent essential oil when...

When physical stress, illness or tiredness cause muscle aches, try herbal healing to soothe the discomfort. Herbal remedies increase connective tissue healing, improve muscle tone and relax...

When used medicinally, clove oil can have numerous health benefits. Cloves are native to India and were used in ancient times to treat everything from skin ailments to blood disorders. Today,...

Neptune krill oil (NKO) is a dietary supplement that comes from krill, miniature crustaceans that resemble shrimp. According to Dr. Michael Eades, there are about 500 million tons of krill in the...

Borage, or starflower, originated in the Middle East, spread to Asia and has been incorporated in Chinese tradition as both food and medicine. More commonly known in the United States as borage...

Nausea and vomiting can happen for a variety of reasons, such as pregnancy, illnesses, and the treatment of some diseases like cancer. Nausea can be overwhelming, but there are ways to combat this...

Often, pain in the ear is caused by congestion. You can use natural remedies that you apply topically or herbs that you ingest to clear the congestion. These methods are not only safe and...

Eczema, commonly known as dermatitis, is a chronic skin disorder characterized by inflammation of the skin. Eczema manifests itself in the form of skin rashes. Symptoms include blisters that are...